Diyatha Uyana was abuzz with local entrepreneurs at 120 stalls selling irresistible and exclusively Sri Lankan flavours, aromas, and innovations at the ‘SME Trade Fair 2022’ conducted recently by the Commercial Bank of Ceylon, the biggest lender to the country’s small and medium enterprise sector.
The Fair on 29th and 30th March was open to the public free of charge. Visitors enjoyed discounts of up to 50% on some of the latest and unique products from local manufacturers. Commercial Bank hosted the SME Trade Fair to encourage and support local industries and their growth and to empower entrepreneurs, the Bank said.
The Trade Fair was also a platform for entrepreneurs and SMEs to meet and engage with other small business owners, discuss business opportunities, meet potential suppliers, meet and enlist the help of government agencies and to participate in workshops conducted by industry experts.
The Director – Regional Development Dept. (RDD) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Mr M. S. K. Dharmawardena, Commercial Bank Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer – Mr S. Renganathan, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director Mr Sanath Manatunge, Deputy General Manager (Personal Banking) – Mr Delakshan Hettiarachchi and many other members of the Bank’s Corporate and Senior Management team were present at the event.
The Commercial Bank stall at this trade fair was staffed by representatives of all key departments, providing information on, and enrolment to, the Bank’s comprehensive suite of digital banking services for personal and business use; providing support services in exports and trade finance, providing support in retail banking services including cards and providing support in all SME related products and services.
Commercial Bank also enlisted help desk services of a series of government institutions, including the Industrial Development Board (IDB), Export Development Board (EDB), Export Agriculture Department, Small Enterprises Development Division, Central Environmental Authority (CEA), and Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) to provide assistance to the entrepreneurs and potential business owners participating in the Trade Fair. Representatives from these agencies interacted with the participants and assisted their queries on legal frameworks, policy frameworks and business development opportunities.
The stalls featured lip-smacking local produce and products such as pickles, kithul items, coconut-based products, processed fish products and organic poultry, spices, flour, organic rice, mushroom-based sausages and comestibles, sugar cane products, bees honey, tea, coffee and other interesting food and beverages. Natural cosmetics, accessories, clothing, sarees & shoes, stationery, household and electric equipment, construction material, locally manufactured furniture and wooden toys, light fittings, and lifestyle products too were among the selection available at the stalls.
In 2017, Commercial Bank launched its ‘Biz Club’ with the objective of providing SMEs with extensive networking opportunities, support beyond lending and a range of other benefits including special bank concessions and a personalised VISA debit card. Members also receive economic updates and alerts on new business developments via email and free registration for Online Banking facilities including a waiver of the first year joining fee. Additionally, Biz Club members are entitled to free financial advisory services and invitations to exclusive business seminars which are beneficial to the development of their businesses.